Improvement in picture-nail heads



J. J. LAUGHLIN. Picture-Nail Head.

No. 215,007. Patented May 6,1879.v

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UNITED STATES JOHN J. LAUGHLIN, OF

PATENT OFFICE.

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT lN PICTURE-NAIL HEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 215,007. dated May 6,1879; application filed February 12, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. J OHN J. LAUGHLIN, of Brooklyn, county of Kings, andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPicture-Nail Heads, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and tothe letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 represents the three parts of which my picture-nail head iscomposed as detached from each other and in section. Fig. 2 is asectional view, showing the three parts in proper relative location, butnot secured together{; and Fig. 3 represents the same parts assembledand secured in place for use. Fig. 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig.3, showing the improved nail-head located upon an ordinary nail. Thegroup of figures numbered 5 are elevations of the improved nail-head,shown detached from nails, pegs, or screws, and intended to indicatethat the same head is capable of use with either a large or small nail,peg, or screw. Fig. 6 is a sectional view, illustrating the manner inwhich a cord or wire will draw against the head in case the nail happensto be sufficiently inclined.

Likeletters in all the figures indicate corresponding parts.

The object or purpose of my invention is to provide a simple, cheap,durable, and efficient means of attaching ornamental heads to ordinarynails, pegs, or screws, which means shall be such as will permit theimproved head to be applied. to nails, pegs, or screws of varying sizes;permit it to be easily detached without injury, whenever desired;prevent accidental detachment or separation of the improved head and itssupporting peg, nail, or screw; and to maintain the head in a propersymmetrical position with respect to the axis of its support.

To accomplish all of this, the invention consists in certain novel anduseful combinations or arrangements of parts, and in a peculiarformation or construction of the separate parts, all of which will behereinafter first fully described, and then pointed out in the claims.

A is the ornamental cap or top piece, which is usually made of glass,porcelain, or other material, and which may be plain or ornamented, asdesired. As usually constructed, this top piece is provided with arecess upon its under side, as plainly indicated in the sectional views;and this recess forms a convenient receptacle for the ordinary head ofthe nail or screw, but it is in no way essential to the successful useof my improved device, which, as will be seen hereinafter, willaccommodate various-sized nail or screw heads without this recess in thecap.

B is a block of rubber or other elastic medium, having a centralperforation, b, of small diametersay, about an eighth of an inchandintended to permit the insertion of the nail or screw head. The block Bhas a recess in its upper part sufficiently large to accommodate anyordinary nail or screw head, and its walls are made slightly flaring attop, as plainly shown.

C is a collar, of brass or other metal suitable for the purpose,havingits lower part contracted, substantially as shown, and intended tounite the elastic block B with the cap-piece A. This union is made bydropping the block B into collar 0 and placing the cap thereon, asindicated in Fig. 2. Then the three parts are securely united byspinning, bending, or otherwise turning the upper edge of the collardown upon the edge of the cap-piece, as shown at Fig. 3.

It will be observed from an inspection of Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 that theunder side of the block B and the inner surface of collar 0 conformsomewhat in shape or general contour, and that when these two parts arein place and the cap properly secured, it will pinch the flaring rim ofthe block against the adjacent surface of the collar. The cap should beso firmly secured that it will pinch the block sufficiently hard toprevent withdrawal of the latter through the lower open mouth of thecollar. The lower mouth of the collar, as will be seen, is left entirelyopen, so that a larger range of use in connection with nails or screwsof varying sizes is possible, there being no flange to interfere withthe insertion of the nail or screw head, as in such devices wherein ascrew-thread is employed for attachment.

By securing the block at its top, as shown, I am enabled to leave thismouth of the collar entirely free, and at the same time permit theremoval of the improved head without with drawing the rubber cushion.After removal the head is ready to be applied to any other nail orscrew. To apply it, it is only necessary to incline it slightly withrespect to the axis of the nail, press it slightly upon the head, andthen give it a little twist either to the right or left. To remove it,it is only to be pulled gently and slightly twisted.

By making the perforation 1) central with respect to the block, andproviding a recess for the nail or screw head, the improved device issustained properly upon the axis of the nail or screw, and not off toone side of it, as in many forms of attachable and detachable heads.

By making the block in the shape shown I am enabled to use it withvarious-sized collars and top pieces. its elasticity permitting it to becompressed within all reasonable or desirable limits.

In case the supporting nail or screw becomes inclined, so that thesustaining cord or wire bears against the improved head, as in Fig. 6,it will be readily seen that the cord or wire presses the rubberdirectly against the head of the nail, preventing the detachment of thedevice.

As thus constructed and arranged, the improved device is found toadmirably answer the several purposes and objects of the invention, aspreviously stated.

Having thus fully explained my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a nail-head of the character herein specified, the combination ofametallic collar, an ornamental top piece, and a centrally-perforatedelastic block, held in place by being pinched between the collar andcap, substantially in the manner shown and described.

2. In a nail-head of the character herein specified, the combination ofa metallic collar having a lower unobstructed month, an ornamental toppiece, and a centrally-perforated elastic block, held in place by beingpinched between the collar and cap. the upper rim of the collar beingturned or bent down upon the edge of the cap, substantially as and forthe purpose herein set forth.

3. The herein-described elastic block for picture-nail heads, the samebeing provided with a recess or cavity at top, flaring upper rim, andcentral limited perforation, all substantially as and for the purposesset forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand andseal in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN J. LAUGHLIN.

Witnesses:

M. A. RULAND, A SANDS.

